RF Generation Message Board

[img align=left width=375 height=300]http://media2.giphy.com/media/2Zk08HzhXcv8A/200.gif[/img]
















PARTICIPANTS:
ae.tc
Boshamp
Duke.Togo
EngineerMike
Fleach
GrayGhost81
JerryGreenwood
MetalFRO
NeoMagicWarrior
OatBob
RetroRage
singlebanana
techwizard

SCHEDULE:

Week 1 (Dec. 1st - 7th): Gradius (NES) & R-Type Final (Play in Normal Mode) (PS2)

Week 2 (Dec. 8th - 14th): U.N. Squadron (SNES) & Xyanide (XBox)

Week 3 (Dec. 15th - 21st): Lightening Force (Genesis) & Sin & Punishment: Star Successor (Wii)

Week 4 (Dec. 22nd - 28th): Raycrisis (PSX) & Otomedius Excellent (360)

Week 5 (Dec. 29th - 31st): BATTLE ROYAL!!!!! - improve your standing on any of the games for 3 days only.

RULES:

As we did last December with the Streets of Rage series, we will be holding a competition to see who is the Top RFGen Shmuper.  Participants will play two titles each week, one on each side (1 retro/1 modern), and will be required to post a photo of their best score during that week. You can post as many scores as you need to during the week if you better your score, but to avoid confusion, do not post lower scores than the highest one you already have posted for each game.  Scores will be excepted each week starting at midnight server time (not necessarily your time) for the beginning date listed for each game, and likewise, scores will be excepted until midnight server time for the end date of each game. Any scores submitted even within a fraction of a second past this end time will not be counted, so plan your playing and posting of scores accordingly. The participant with the highest point total for each game per week will earn 10 points, second place earns 9 points, and so on down to 5 points (everyone who participates each week will earn at least 5 points).

This process will continue for each of the four weeks of December and the last 2 days of the month will consist of a Battle Royale where participants will have the opportunity to improve their overall standing for each game played during the month. At the end of the month, each participant's lowest score on the retro and modern side will be dropped (this means you can miss one game on each side and still be in the championship running). The participant with the most overall points for his/her six games will be crowned Top Shmuper. 

NOTE: NO SCORES WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR GAMES PLAYED OUT OF TURN UNTIL THE BATTLE ROYALE BEGINS ON 12/29. YOU CAN ONLY SUBMIT GRADIUS SCORES DURING WEEK 1, U.N. SQUADRON SCORES DURING WEEK 2, AND SO ON. SCORES ACCUMULATED DURING WEEKS 1-4 WILL BE USED TOWARD YOUR FINAL TOTAL, BUT OF COURSE, YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO IMPROVE YOUR SCORES DURING THE 3 DAYS OF BATTLE ROYALE. DURING THE BATTLE ROYAL, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO IMPROVE YOUR SCORES, WHICH MEANS YOU HAVE TO HAVE PLAYED THE GAMES ALREADY IN THE PREVIOUS WEEKS (NO "NEW" PARTICIPANTS SCORES WILL BE ALLOWED, ONLY IMPROVED SCORES FROM PRIOR WEEK PARTICIPANTS).

IN THE SPIRIT OF KEEPING THE CONTEST FAIR, WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE PLAY ALL SHMUPS ON THEIR NORMAL SETTING (WHATEVER SETTING THE GAME STARTS UP WITH) AND THAT YOU DO NOT USE ANY CODES (LIKE THE KONAMI CODE FOR GRADIUS), GAME GENIES OR LIKE DEVICES, OR RAPID FIRE CONTROLLERS/DONGLES. IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT DEVICES OR OTHER AIDS YOU ARE CONSIDERING USING DURING THIS COMPETITION, PLEASE POST TO THE FORUM OR SEND US A PM AND WE WILL BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION FOR YOU. THANKS.

PLEASE ABIDE BY THE HONOR SYSTEM WHEN POSTING SCORES. ALSO, DO NOT USE SAVE POINTS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE IF YOU ARE PLAYING ONE OF THE MODERN CONSOLE VERSIONS OR ON ANY CONSOLE WITH A SAVE FEATURE. COMPETITION HERE IS ENJOYABLE AND WE HAVE A VERY TRUSTWORTHY COMMUNITY, SO LET'S KEEP IT THAT WAY. THANKS.

**Contest rules subject to change or be added to prior to December 1st. If you have any suggestions for rules or restrictions, please contact singlebanana via PM. Photos of high scores are required and fun pics of you playing with a friend(s) are highly encouraged. Further questions concerning these rules should be directed to December's hosts, Fleach (modern) or singlebanana (retro).**

PRIZES:

I prize will be awarded to the month's Top Shmuper. This will include the title of: 2014 RFGen Top Shmuper added to his/her forum avatar and a specially designed wrestling shmuping belt to display in your gameroom or fireplace mantle (with wife's permission of course.....).  :freakboy:


OVERALL FINAL STANDINGS:

MetalFRO - 58   :gunar15s:
RetroRage - 52
singlebanana - 45
GrayGhost81 - 37
JerryGreenwood - 28
Duke.Togo - 28
techwizard - 20
ae.tc - 19
OatBob - 7
EngineerMike - 5

:guncannon:

WEEK 1: Gradius & R-Type Final

Gradius
MetalFRO - 441,600 - 10
JerryGreenwood - 364,000 - 9
RetroRage - 360,300 - 8
singlebanana - 341,800 - 7
techwizard - 184,700 - 6
Duke.Togo - 123,700 - 5
EngineerMike - 81,300 - 5
GrayGhost81 - 52,400 - 5

R-Type Final
MetalFRO - 312,147 - 10
RetroRage - 173,795 - 9
singlebanana - 105,638 - 8
GrayGhost81 - 73,061 - 7

WEEK 2: U.N. Squadron & Xyanide

U.N. Squadron
JerryGreenwood - 680,000 - 10
ae.tc - 281,400 - 9
RetroRage - 162,500 - 8
singlebanana - 113,900 - 7
GrayGhost81 - 50,400 - 6

Xyanide
MetalFRO - 1,500,614 - 10
singlebanana - 659,153 - 9
RetroRage - 465,476 - 8
OatBob - 292,951 - 7

WEEK 3: Lightening Force & Sin & Punishment: Star Successor

Lightening Force
MetalFRO - 1,438,160 - 10
JerryGreenwood - 1,328,080 - 9
RetroRage - 434,580 - 8
singlebanana - 166,400 - 7
Duke.Togo - 58,300 - 6
techwizard - 100 - 5
GrayGhost81 - 100 - 5

Sin & Punishment: Star Successor
RetroRage - 24,833,225 - 10
techwizard - 16,870,910 - 9
MetalFRO - 15,395,151 - 8
GrayGhost81 - 15,285,076 - 7
singlebanana - 2,649,948 - 6

WEEK 4: Raycrisis & Otomedius Excellent

Raycrisis
MetalFRO - (9) 8,672,708 - 10
Duke.Togo - (9) 3,199,238 - 9
singlebanana - (11) 3,822,349 - 8
RetroRage - (16) 1,717,729 - 7

Otomedius Excellent
ae.tc - 2,642,600 - 10
RetroRage - 641,500 - 9
Duke.Togo - 324,900 - 8
GrayGhost81 - 197,00 - 7

Sign me up.

Done hombre.

Sign me up

Certainly

Woot! Gonna lose! I'm In!

In!

Out of curiosity, how did we settle on such an odd list of games?

We did a shmup suggestion thread and chose the most voted for/popular games. We wanted to do both retro and modern games for this challenge to keep things interesting and offer enough variety for the people participating.

I must have missed that thread altogether!

I'm in!  But I'm afraid only have Graduis.  Ebay B.i.N. spree!!!!

Be sure to set the Community Playthrough forum to receive notifications. Happy to have you along. :D

Just bought R-Type Final so I'm good for the first week :)

I'm pretty excited about this competition. They only game I will not be playing is Otomedius Excellent. Remember, you don't have to play all the games in this playthrough, but it will certainly increase you odds of winning.

I love shmups and I'm always looking for new ones.  A couple of these are kinda pricey but I'll do my best to grab em.  Are any of these games available for dl?

Gradius is on the Wii Virtual Console. Not sure other than that,

That's the one game I don't need :/  oh well most of them are pretty cheap

i'm officially in. i picked up a copy of Gradius and Lightening Force today!

yep me too

Sign me up!  The only games I'm missing are U.N. Squadron and Otomedius, so I should be able to play along with everything.  Haven't touched Xyanide or Star Successor yet, and it's been ages since I played RayCrisis, so that will be nice to get some time in on those.  It's good that with Xyanide I'll be able to focus solely on that.  Same with RayCrisis, since that's the hardest and most manic of the Ray series.  I never quite got along with that one, as compared with the 2 previous games, but maybe dedicating some time to it will give me a different perspective.  Plus, ZUNTATA musical goodness!  ;D

I have to warn you all - I played a TON of Lightening Force as a kid, because that was a game I bought as a new release, so while I haven't spent much time on it in recent years, a week of playing means I'll probably find my groove again relatively fast.  I shouldn't be too much of a threat on the other stuff, however.

@TechWizard - good on you!  The NES port of Gradius is solid and highly playable, and Lightening Force is one of my favorite games of all time, and certainly my favorite horizontal scrolling shmup.  Next time we do one of these, I'll have to suggest a Raiden game!

Welcome aboard!

forgot to mention that i already own S&P: star successor, and Otomedius Excellent, so i'll join those as well.

Sign me up.  I have most of these games.

Okay, so I'm thinking about this December shmup competition, and I'm wondering how were going to handle Ray Crisis. Can we assume that we will be playing in special mode since the original mode allows a stage select and is basically just a short score attack?

lightening force seemed to have a stage select, or at least stage order select...i think a lot of schmups do that actually. it's up to Rich but if it were me i would say choose any route you want, because it'll still be the same levels everyone else is playing just in different orders.

The main reason this makes a difference for RayCrisis is that Original mode gives you a choice of 3 stages to play, out of a possible 5. Each has a different boss, likely worth different total point values, each with its own potential "milking" strategy. The scoring could be quite different based on which group of stages are selected, and which ship is chosen to pilot. The Special mode, however, is a straightforward affair with no stage select, thus the only variable being the craft.

If it's all about high score I don't think it really matters which order the stages are played in.  I guess that would be part of the strategy.  MetalFRO does the Special mode for Raycrisis have to be unlocked?

Just bought U.N. Squadron, slowly chipping away at the week-by-week lists.  It's funny, these monthly playthroughs are basically determining what I'm collecting these days.  It's a good thing because I'm actually playing what I buy now :)

Yeah, I think that to simplify things, just pick whatever stage order you want for RayCrisis. Sure, some may be more valuable in terms of points, but as long as you can visit all of them, that's okay.

BTW, I thought you guys might be interested in knowing what you're playing for this month.......

[img width=700 height=472]http://i1029.photobucket.com/albums/y359/necrom99/Video%20Game%20Scores/A65A72FC-8EFE-4BE1-849D-5B9E52D360AF_zpsag5p4dt2.jpg[/img]

And, the plane spins!

Ohhh snap I gotta win this one!  I have a couple friends that'll be extremely jealous to see this wrapped around my waist

It's going to be pretty cool. I'm going to have to put something under the plane to lift it a bit so that it will spin.

[img width=331 height=400]http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o4/skylark_on_siege/i_must_break_you.jpg[/img] (http://s116.photobucket.com/user/skylark_on_siege/media/i_must_break_you.jpg.html)

Let the s&@t-talking begin! Love it.

Yeah I figured Duke would be stiff competition.  I bet he's had a 3 foot erection since the shmup challenge was announced.

If only we were playing Gradius 4.  I LOVE that game.

Seriously, while I like to play these, I'm not particularly good at them. This will be fun.

same here, i love these games but really suck at them, i don't expect to do well in the competition but it's going to be fun anyway.

Are you like me, do you curse out loud every time you die because you know how hard it is to make it through a level without the power-ups?

*raises hand*

Sounds like December will be interesting. We will find out who is the best "crappy" shmup'er, seeing as how we all think we suck.

I plan on keeping this belt in its rightful place........in my gameroom. Stop with all of the loser talk on this thread. I know you guys are just sandbagging. I however, am ready to crush dreams.

It's good to see that people are really excited for this. Let's just not put ourselves down for "bad" scores or being "crappy" players.

Yes, because there will be enough time for me to put you down for that. ZING!

No, I don't believe it does.  I didn't have a save for RayCrisis on my memory card when I booted it up on Saturday, and Special Mode was available right away.  The thing is, you don't play through all stages in Original Mode - you play through the 1st stage, which is the same each time, and then pick 3 out of 5 to play through, then you fight 'dis-human' the final boss.  So depending on the stage you select, as well as which of the 3 craft you pick, AND how you play the game (with the lock-on mechanic), it could affect the scoring pretty significantly.  That's why it might be useful to specify which 3 stages to select to help level the playing field a bit.

ALSO, after playing the Special Mode a couple times, I never saw my score show up, so I don't know that Special Mode registers a score unless you complete the game.  One thing I found to be quite neat in the Special Mode is that your ship is fully powered up, and the power-up icons that appear (specifically the pink/red ones) decrease the Encroachment counter, so you can keep the levels going a bit longer and maximize score.  Still, the fact that you don't even register a score in Special Mode unless you complete it is kind of chintzy.  So, I'll rescind my original statement and say yes, Original Mode should be used.  Since the WR-03 craft is an unlockable, do we want to keep play limited to just WR-01 and WR-02 ships?  WR-03 can be used to "spam" the lock-on laser for huge scoring, so either we should consider eliminating that ship, OR make sure everyone knows about it so they aren't at an unfair advantage.

You are right. Time to modify my old scouts oath: On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law; and win the shmup competition.

[img width=512 height=384]http://www.thejemgroup.com/wp-content/gallery/scouts/misc/boy-scout-oath.jpg[/img]

I haven't played Raycriss before, so I'm unfamiliar with how this unlockable works. Is it unlocked by a code, or do you have to complete some portion of the game before it is unlocked? That will be a major factor in determining whether or not that craft can be used.

I'm unfamiliar with every one of these games.  Gradius is the only one I'm even vaguely familiar with because I've played Gradius 4 to death (and beat it....only took 8 hours of non-stop play in college) 

Having said that, who is good at what in this challenge?

In terms of shmups, I'm kind of the jack-of-all-trades, master of none type. I play a great deal of them, but have never focused or worked to beat many of them. I wouldn't say that I have a "best" game in the group, but have played most of them before.

I've been messing around with R-Type Final a little bit...what mode are we playing in?  Standard mode or Score Attack?

That's Fleach's side, oh and so is Raycrisis, so he'll probably need to advise you on that.

Damn, how did I not see this? I'm in. While we were voting I was under the assumption that retro and modern would be separate competitions, but no big deal. I'll still obliterate you chumps in U.N. Squadron  :nod:

We can declare a retro winner and modern winner, but only the overall winner will get THE BELT.

It will be interesting to see how the scores are calculated to determine a winner.

i think, but am not sure, that there will be a winner for each game (and maybe 1 or 2 runner ups?). each individual game competition win gives you a set number of points, and the person with the most points at the end wins overall. that's how i would do it anyway, but i can't remember if rich already explained his own system or not, he might have a different method.

Of the 8 games, I've only played U.N. Squadron, but I'm proud to say I've beaten it on it's hardest difficulty to get the best ending. That game is HARD.

I've also played Thunder Force II & III to death but I've never played Lightening Force (aka Thunder Force IV). Why on earth did they not call it Thunder Force IV in the US?!

Seeing as there's a Score Attack mode I think we can use that. I'll add that info to the main post.

could do the same for otomedius excellent as well

Which ever is the best way to rack up a high score. We still have three days to finalize the nitty gritty.

I decided to pop in Sin & Punishment today just for the hell of it. It is a damn superb game, but it is hard as hell, even playing on easy as Kachi. I'm about halfway through the game and honestly I'm not sure if I'll be able to finish it. We're definitely going to have to decide for this game what difficulty and character for people to use for the score to count. 

In that case, let's make it interesting.

Easy = score x 1
Medium = score x 1.5
Hard = score x 2

That may work, but let's think about it for a sec. Your score only accumulates through one life (you only have one life and then it's game over and your score goes to zero whether or not you continue) so if you play on hard you only have to live half as long. It's an interesting thought. I'd like to experiment a little with it and check back in tomorrow if it's all the same to you.

That scoring system seems to be OK for me because you can sort of go all in on hard mode. A little bit of risk/reward don't you think?

It's like 1 minute of Easy is roughly the same as 30 seconds of Hard. Unless you plowed through waves of enemies on Hard.

this makes sense to me too, it sounds like it balances the scoring system so that people can play on any difficulty they want but still have a fair score in our competition here. the only consideration is does the game already score things differently on different difficulties?

Hey, you're the host. I was just trying to help.

That's what I'll have to find out.


Appreciate it. I'm just trying to make this competition as fun and fair as possible.

I've been messing around with the game a little more, and I don't think Score Attack would be the most fun to play.  I think Normal mode would be the way to go.  But it's up to Fleach, so whatevs.

Normal mode should be fine then.

Lightening Force get!  3 games remaining and I'll be all in.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!!  We are playing Gradius (NES) and R-Type Final (PS2) [play R-Type in Normal Mode] this week.

Be sure to send in photos of your scores.

uhhh I thought we were decided to play R-Type Final in normal mode?

Sorry, I was going by what was listed in the initial thread. Normal mode it is. I will make changes. Thanks.

Thanks.  Sorry for the confusion.  Maybe I should leave the show running up to the guys who actually run the show :P

Ha! Ha! We actually appreciate the community input. We are playing a good portion of these games for the first time ourselves, so any pointers or things that might make the competition better for the month are greatly appreciated. If any of you have input on the other games we are playing this month, please let us know. Thank you.

Here's the bench mark!

173795.  That's the high score on one credit. 

[img width=700 height=933]http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/adsanislo/20141201_012221_zpstdmox7xo.jpg[/img]

It had something to do with licensing, though I don't know the details. Not sure why it was "Lightening" and not "Lightning", either.

@singlebanana - I don't recall how you unlock WR-03, it's been years since I did so. You may want to consult a FAQ on the matter. But as I said, you can spam the lock-on laser pretty hard to track up 50+ chains, resulting in a clear advantage in favor of that craft, so it may be in the competition's best interest to disqualify it.

not that it's up to me, but in all the past competitions we've never had so many disclaimers and strict specific conditions to follow to join in as have been suggested in this one. in streets of rage no one was limited to a specific character or anything along those lines. i feel like if something is in the game, it should be allowed, because even if it's secret it's available for everyone to use. if i had r-type, i could use that craft you're talking about just as easily as you could, it's not like you have a massive advantage over me overall, i would just have to try the other craft. imo the whole point is finding the best combination of choices/setup and skill, not just "everyone has to be exactly identical and any deviation is cheating".

we aren't nascar.

[img width=500 height=281]http://86bb71d19d3bcb79effc-d9e6924a0395cb1b5b9f03b7640d26eb.r91.cf1.rackcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/super-smash-bros-wii-u-3ds-new-challenger-approaching.gif[/img]

I was only able to pick up a few of these, but I will play. If nothing else, I can maybe screw with some of your overall scores. Muah ha ha

holy s*** gradius is hard, terrible start to it for me. i can't get past the first level, i made it to the boss once but that was sheer luck. those volcanos near the boss are ridiculous, if you don't have 2 options enabled you're screwed unless you have amazing dodging ability. the boss appears to have no weak point, so i did zero damage before dying...unless it was taking damage and not indicating it at all.

i've beaten gradius III before, and that makes it really difficult to go back to 1. having missles that only go down is agravating, and enemies that come from behind are infuriating.

i didn't bother with a picture because there's no way anyone is as bad as me, but my best score was around 55,000 or so.

I got farther last night on Gradius than I ever have before, and scored somewhere over 300K when my NES froze up. Looks like I need to clean my Gradius cart, & possibly my NES' 72-pin connector. I reached the stage with the indestructible Moai heads spinning around and flying toward you.

@techwizard - if you have a NES Max or Advantage joystick with auto fire, I'd recommend that. Makes the game way easier. Also gives better scoring possibilities on the volcanoes.

[img width=700 height=700]http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af356/jackcrow2000/43038544-EF46-4D53-A45A-8E4636202633_zpspe896b37.jpg[/img] (http://s1023.photobucket.com/user/jackcrow2000/media/43038544-EF46-4D53-A45A-8E4636202633_zpspe896b37.jpg.html)

Not a great start, but eh.

techwizard: There is a place that you can park your ship where you will be safe, in the lower left where the shots are at the same level as the tops of the volcanos. There is a 5,000 secret bonus and a secret 1up on the first stage as well.

Updated scores are now listed on initial thread. Sorry techwizard, but "around 55,000" isn't going to cut it. Pics or it didn't happen. I know you plan on putting up a better score anyway and didn't intend for me to post it. :)

From what I have gathered off wiki, the WR-03 is only an unlockable in the arcade version of the game. If that is the case, then I don't see an issue with using this craft. I will pop in the game soon and check to see if it is indeed an option.

Techwizard, I understand where you are coming from and I agree with your comments to an extent. If the craft is unlockable using a certain code or controller technique, then we can share how to unlock with the group and there is no issue. However, let's say that the way to unlock this craft is to beat the game. Is it fair to those who have never played the game to be subject to an advantage that someone has previously unlocked and saved on their memory card? I say it is not and unlevels the playing field. This is my main concern. Comparing something like this to selecting a different character in SoR is apples and oranges; no one is contesting using an option that is already available, just one earned prior to this competition.

^^ Agreed.  Although, if beating the game is what unlocks it, it doesn't take much to beat RayCrisis by credit feeding.  I did it 5 or 6 times over the few days I was playing with it recently, so either way it's probably not an issue.

i wasn't aware we were talking about a craft that can only be unlocked with a secret code, button combo, or beating the game. i thought we were talking about the difference between 2 craft choices at the start of your first time playing, it's that situation that i would find it excessive to restrict people to 1 craft, or any situation where the advantage is all in simple choices the game offers you, not in well hidden secrets or unlockables.

Oh yeah, no doubt that would be silly to restrict someone's craft of choice when everyone has the ability to use it. ;)

Something weird happened when I was playing Gradius earlier.  I beat the first level boss, and all the sudden those giant head things were flying at me for a few seconds and I was transported to level 3.  How does that happen?

Uh, same here..... Super Weird

There is a warp after the first boss if you kill him quickly enough. Probably not terribly useful if going for score IMHO.

I dunno about that, you get a huge boost in score too.

Lotsa practice to get to 220600.  Dunno if I can get much better than this.

[img width=700 height=933]http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/adsanislo/20141202_214059_zpsqcoqafu6.jpg[/img]

My best from last night. This score was after a warp, and agree that it's a big bonus:

[img width=700 height=522]http://i1029.photobucket.com/albums/y359/necrom99/Video%20Game%20Scores/6229D78D-7DB8-4A4A-BE15-4284FA50C959_zps7ut8hz5d.jpg[/img]

Without the warp

[img width=640 height=480]http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a420/JerryGreenwood/2014-12-02183223_zpsc167efe9.jpg[/img] (http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/JerryGreenwood/media/2014-12-02183223_zpsc167efe9.jpg.html)

New scores posted. Looks like the Gradius competition is heating up a bit. ;)

Just playing Gradius for a short time last night, I gained a much better appreciation for the game. I know that may sound silly, but as a kid, this was one of the more frustrating titles in my collection. It's great coming back to these older games with more skill and experience and I'm  having a lot of fun with this game. Though sometimes aggravating (i.e. getting stuck in certain spots without power-ups), to me, this game has that "okay, one more time feel" and I don't so much mind having to starting over.

For me, getting heavily powered up on the first stage is super important. So much so, if I die or miss too many power-ups, I hit the reset. My strategy for power-ups on the first stage goes like this and I'm curious to hear what others methods are.

1. speed up - the first option and it allows me to get to the top/bottom of the screen quicker to finish a series of enemies)
2. first option - extra firepower and area coverage is nice
3. missiles - no longer have to worry about enemies on bottom of screen and take out many option-holding enemies below me that I might miss)
4. option 2 - added firepower for volcanoes
5. ? - shield is nice for boss insurance
6. lasers - cut through enemies like butter, usually acquire these at start of 2nd stage

*I never really use the double shot. Am I the only one?

This game is equally as hard as Silver Surfer. So is Life Force and Fantasy Zone 1 & 2 (Master System). It's just that a lot of people use the Konami code for this and Life Force.


Here's 2 things that I do that might be helpful to people.

#1 - You have to go into the game with the mindset of "I'm not going to die". Yeah, obviously don't die, but what I mean is - get juiced up ASAP and never lose your power-ups. This is how you beat Gradius or a game like Silver Surfer. When you're powered-up, YOU have the advantage in the game, not them.
I hit reset if I die on the first level too, that's how important I think those power-ups are.

#2 - Don't look at the enemies, look at your ship. My game plan has always been - dodge and shoot blindly. In most cases (for any game), if you're nicely powered up, your random bullets will kill off a good portion of the enemies on the screen. When your eyes shift from your ship, that's when a stray bullet hits you. Concentrate on dodging everything, the kills and points will come inadvertently.

As for Gradius specifically, in most situations, I first go for 2 Speed Ups. Like I said above, I highly value dodging enemies and bullets. I believe speed gives you the best chance to survive the longest.

For stage 1, I get - Speed, Speed, Missile, Option. After that I've been mixing it up, but I really like Lasers for the volcano.

I usually don't use double shot, but I found it useful for stage 3 with the Easter Island heads.

Quick question (and my apologies if this has been covered already) but is it acceptable to use emulated versions of the retro games? I'm asking more for the fact that I'll be playing them on a Dreamcast and thusly using a different controller than everyone else.

I think it's okay. As long as there is no rapid fire button on the controller.

someone mentioned using turbo controllers a page or 2 back, just wanted to clarify if we should or shouldn't use these? i won't be myself, but want to make sure everything is fair.

also my strategy isn't far off of jerrygreenwood's, i like to go for double speed asap, it helps so much with getting between the top and bottom and you can kill everything with the extra boost. i always go straight for laser after that, being able to cut through everything is so nice. normally i go for missles next, but i really feel i need to go for double option after that, especially on the volcano.

It says on the first page to NOT use turbo controllers. I had to pause Gradius 2 or 3 times last night because my thumb was tired.

that's what i get for not reading the entire first post ;)

Yeah, I'm good with emulators. No rapid fire please. Everyone's thumb should be as sore as mine. :)

Okay, I'm going to put the final ruling down on the WR-03, since I played through the game last night.....yes, played through it. Seems that you have limitless continues that allow your score to increase as you continue, so I discuss a means of possibly working this out below.

(1) The WR-03 is a selectable craft from the start menu in the game. Nothing is needed to unlock it. Since everyone can use it, it will remain in the competition.

(2) In terms of scoring, I noticed that after I finished the game, there was an end screen that not only posted my total score for the playthrough, but also tracked something called "Total Plays" (I believe this is what is was called, can't find picture). I assume this number represents how many total times you continued in order to finish the game. I will playthrough it again before the last week of the month to determine if this is accurate. If so, my suggestion is that instead of high score, participants will be ranked that week based on how many times they have to continue to finish the game. Basically, the least number of continues will take the top spot. If there is a tie at any position, high score will determine finish order.

For instance, lets say that myself and MetalFRO are at the top of the leaderboard with only 6 continues to finish. If his total points are higher than mine, then he will earn 10 points for the week and I will earn 9.

It's interesting to see so much variance in the Gradius strategies, and yes I reset if I even die in level 3.  I can usually get to level 4 now without dying, although it took forever to get to that point.

I go: speed, option 1, sheild, missile, option 2, and then maybe laser.  For some reason I feel like the standard bullet is more effective than the laser at certain points so I just leave it alone.

As far as dodging strats, Jerry hit it right on.  Every once in awhile I'll glance over to see what's coming, but you gotta keep your eyes on your ship.  I like to use the level design itself as a way to avoid things.  Like in 3 level I try to stay behind as many heads as possible for as long as I can to avoid the onslaught of rings.  On top of that many of the ground turrets can't shoot horizontally, so if you hang out by them as closely as possible until the level scrolls enough you can zip through some dangerous spots pretty easily
In that level.

Has anyone else started R-Type yet?

I played R-Type for a short time last night and didn't think I put up a good enough score to bother recording it. I think that game's gonna take a little manual reading. :)

There is a tutorial mode that pretty much does the trick.

I tend to go speed, option 1, shield, missile, double, option 2, and sneak in another speed up at some point in there. I'm surprised that I am the only one using double.

i don't have much experience in the first game but in 3 i always found double to not do as much damage as laser in one hit, and the weird angles it fires at makes it difficult to land both shots on one target.

I agree that it isn't as strong, but it saves my bacon enough to warrant it in my book. If I had the tail gun option from some of the other Gradius games, I would take it.

The double laser is very useful in level 4.  Stay low and it's smooth sailing

This is where I'm at in Gradius at the moment:
[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/F9A7E2F6-D96D-4FC6-9797-77803742FA84.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/F9A7E2F6-D96D-4FC6-9797-77803742FA84.jpg.html)

I missed the boat on NOT using a turbo controller, so I must confess that I used the NES Max on this run. But I got farther than I've ever seen in this game, so it gives me hope that I might be able to do well enough without the turbo. I'll post a pic in the next day or so once I've hit a nice score sans turbo.

the hint about dodging, staring at your own ship the whole time and only glancing at everything else, improved my game so much. one attempt using that strategy carried me all the way to the easter island head level. also duke's hint about how to deal with the volcano's helped heaps too!

[img width=640 height=480]http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a420/JerryGreenwood/2014-12-03211534_zps2d924ac3.jpg[/img] (http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/JerryGreenwood/media/2014-12-03211534_zps2d924ac3.jpg.html)

I got pretty deep in the game. I'm not sure which level because I think I did a warp after level 3.

Two nights ago I beat level 3 and went on to the next level like normal. Last night I beat level 3 and then the music changed and a bunch of Vectrex-like Moai heads came flying at me. After that passed, I think I went to level 5. It looked like the level that MetalFRO made it to.

If anyone can shed some light...

I gave R-Type the college try last night, but I couldn't even come close to Retro's score so far. I may take another crack at it tonight. I really didn't like the game at first but got more enjoyment out of it as I got a little better at it.

That's one hell of a score!  More importantly though, thanks for your honesty on using the controller. I'm not posting this score of course, so be sure to submit another one(s) when you have them. Thanks for joining us.

Where's your score dude?

You want me to post even if it's only a pitiful fraction of the current leading score?

Sure, if a lot of people don't play this game, you'll acquire some overall points. You get at least 5 out of 10 points for playing each game.

I see. Reread the OP and I'm little clearer on it now. I'll give it another go and post before the end of the week.

More info on those warps........

Stage 1 warp: To activate the warp to stage 3, you must destroy each of the four hatches that appear on this stage when the thousands digit of your score is even. Of the four hatches, three are on the lower portion and one is on the upper portion.

Stage 2 warp: To activate the warp to stage 4, you must destroy the Big Core within two seconds of the core turning blue. This is only possible with very well placed shots from lasers.

Stage 3 warp: To activate the warp to stage 5, you must destroy 10 or more Moai statues. Use missiles to destroy bottom lying faces, and double-shot or options to destroy top lying faces.

thanks! i was wondering how the first one activated, so far i have yet to see the real level 2, i always get the warp.

I warped again last night and paid more attention to what the bonus was. I think I got 50,000 points. Does that seem right?

I always destroy those hatches, must be a huge coincidence that I've never gotten the warp. I destroyed a lot of Moai heads on that run...that makes sense now.

So warps are bad for your score. I got to the same point as MetalFRO, but he played level 4 and outscored me by about 100,000.

EDIT - Just saw banana's post. I didn't know the warps give you points. Hmmm......I'm still gunna say you'd get more points by not warping but I'm not positive.

i'm sure i could do better eventually, but this is probably the best i'm going to get. i can rarely finish the first level, let alone get far enough to come anywhere near the scores you guys are hitting.

Here's my best so far for R-Type. As for Gradius, it sure did bring back a lot of memories, but I couldn't even beat the stock high score of 50K to even take a picture of anything. Playing both of these games is not a very good mix, as R-Type is rather smooth and slow (but you you still need to be precise) but Gradius is just shit flying all over the place like crazy. I might give it another shot but I may wait until Saturday as I can really it feel has raised my anxiety levels and it's too close to bedtime for that.

[img width=700 height=393]http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h32/grayghost81/IMG_20141204_193022_805_zps6eba2ac2.jpg[/img] (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/grayghost81/media/IMG_20141204_193022_805_zps6eba2ac2.jpg.html)

I will be honest. SSB for WiiU is making it hard for me to put time into this ATM. That being said, I have a small score (no pun intended) to put me on the board:


[img width=700 height=933]http://i1375.photobucket.com/albums/ag478/michaelrancourt/ADD1A739-A551-4982-90E3-5605B8688434_zpsm8bk2dzt.jpg[/img] (http://s1375.photobucket.com/user/michaelrancourt/media/ADD1A739-A551-4982-90E3-5605B8688434_zpsm8bk2dzt.jpg.html)

Creepin' while you sleepin'..........

[img width=700 height=522]http://i1029.photobucket.com/albums/y359/necrom99/Video%20Game%20Scores/8E054EC5-6C26-4105-84EC-BA73D706A6FA_zpsaf0grab1.jpg[/img]

I played some R-Type Final last night, but could not figure out how to retrieve my score after I died........  Any info on this is appreciated.

Looks like the Gradius competition is heating up and I'm pretty determined to beat this game at least before the month is over. We still need some R-Type scores, so don't forget to play and post.

There's a menu option called "War Chronicles" that will have your best score among many other stats.  Also, make sure when you're done playing you save your game. I think it auto-saves after the first time you do it, but you definitely have to hard save at least the first time.

Good to know. I haven't been playing out my continues, but also haven't saved either. Oh well, no big scores to report anyway. Good practice.

Nice score Banana! You have achieved total shmup and you will beat Gradius soon :)

I tried last night, but I could not improve my score.

To those struggling:

- If you die, it's because you weren't positioned properly. The goal in a shmup is not to kill everything on the screen. It's to get your ship to a certain spot at a certain time. This could be for offensive or defensive reasons.

Gradius specific tips:

Stage 1 - To easily pass the volcanoes, stay back and have your 2 Options (with missiles) underneath you with the bottom one parallel with the top of the left volcano mouth. Spam fire and don't move. If you have Lasers, you will hit most of the rocks from the right volcano too.

Stage 2 - Know where the hatches are and destroy them asap. The enemies that come out of these fire a ton of bullets.
             - For the part where the blue tiles swarm you, use the same strategy as the volcano, but have the Options above you. This will take care of the tiles from above and the missiles will hit below. You may have to move up and down a little bit for this one, but for the most part you can spam fire and just sit there.

Stage 3 - This is where I switch to Double shot, but if you don't have it it's probably best to take the upper path. Try to kill the turrets near the Moai heads. You can destroy Moai head shots, but not turret bullets.

Misc - If you're fully powered up, do everything in your power to keep your power up slot on Shield. The second your shield runs out, power it up again and try to get the slot back on Shield.

+1 on this. This popped into my head last night and is the reason for the big run I had. I will even sometimes take a stray bullet after my shield turns brown to put up a new one.

i attempted to do that last hint there once and killed myself Lol. worked on a second attempt though. i looked up some suggestions on setups for each levels and it seemed to agree with what jerry said, lasers or double (i prefer laser) for the first couple levels, double for the next couple.

gave gradius another attempt, pretty much matched my previous best two times but i can't pass it, i'm still having a lot of trouble on the first level during most runs. it's improving that's for sure, but not by much.

You definitely score more by playing through and not warping. I haven't had time to play anything the last couple days because of work and other commitments, but maybe I can squeeze in time this evening...

Okay, here's my latest score. Still using the NES Max controller, but I am NOT using turbo fire:
[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/92D937A8-3F1C-4ED3-A3DD-B6013C20EAED.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/92D937A8-3F1C-4ED3-A3DD-B6013C20EAED.jpg.html)

Great score! All scores updated on initial post.

Participation:

[img width=700 height=326]http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h32/grayghost81/IMG_20141206_111528_939-1_zps286ebbf3.jpg[/img] (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/grayghost81/media/IMG_20141206_111528_939-1_zps286ebbf3.jpg.html)

Okay, this time I legitimately made it to Stage 5 with the NES Max, but WITHOUT TURBO. Just want to make sure I stated that :)
[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/15741730-4B43-4C63-A764-BAFB163D0879.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/15741730-4B43-4C63-A764-BAFB163D0879.jpg.html)

[img width=700 height=933]http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/adsanislo/20141206_143535_zpsbjbmlmok.jpg[/img]

I thought I was catching up, but then I saw metalFROs update....back to work.

Does anyone know how to view the results from a single run in R-Type Final? All I can seem to pull up under Data & Gallery -> War Chronicles is the cumulative total. I clocked over 4 hours on this save prior to starting to play today, so my totals are skewed. I'm wondering if I should start a new pilot, or what I should do...

Scores updated. Welcome to the top MetalFRO!


I think there was post about this earlier after I asked.

HOLY COW, I suck at R-Type Final. I don't remember being this bad at it, but I'm not even getting through the battleship stage, which I can usually manage in R-Type games. I guess I've been away from this game for far too long. The bottom score is the one you'll want to use. The top is my best from a previous play years ago.
[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/F10DECA5-9746-4FA9-A86C-709FEADD2E19.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/F10DECA5-9746-4FA9-A86C-709FEADD2E19.jpg.html)

New high score :)

[img width=700 height=933]http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/adsanislo/20141206_223000_zpsoul8h7sv.jpg[/img]

Scores are updated in initial post. Please make sure that yours is correct. Thanks.

Also, please remember that today is the last day of the Gradius/R-Type Final portion of the playthrough. You MUST submit all scores by midnight server time tonight. I believe the server is set to Central Time, so be sure to plan accordingly so that your scores are posted in time.

Ugh...MetalFRO. You're really gunna try and make me beat stage 5, huh?

I'll be putting in some time on this tonight. Maybe even do a kids Gradius recording.

Just for kicks I just played a little Gradius II, Life Force and Salamander, and Parodius. We sure did pick the hardest game out of that whole bunch!

I'm also wondering, do you guys pronounce it gray-dee-is or grah-dee-us?

I've always heard it pronounced gray-dee-us, but I can't even pronounce Y's right. So what do I know.

GERAH-dius

Haha...WHAT?

I pronounce it GRA-dee-us.

[img width=700 height=528]http://www.tony-mackenzie.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/picard-facepalm.jpg[/img]

LOL, I'm focusing on R-Type Final today, since I haven't got a high enough score to feel comfortable leaving it where I'm at now, so by all means, give it a shot :)

Oh, and I pronounce it GRA-dee-us as well.

Since I'm having exceeding difficulty getting very far in R-Type Final, I've decided it best that I pause every so often & take a picture to capture my score, given this game's lack of a functional leaderboard. This was tKen right before I died from the large mech that appears just after this. Sigh.
[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/A3C30F61-CE13-4E40-B91E-2CA43E193133.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/A3C30F61-CE13-4E40-B91E-2CA43E193133.jpg.html)

I did this run using the TX-T AH craft. Also, just to be clear, I'm not using any continues here. I start playing, and once I run out of lives, I start over again.

The score resets to zero when you continue anyway.

Alright, I finally figured out the path to get to your R-Type Final high score.................

1. Save your file after you are done with your run.
2. On main menu click on "Data & Gallery"
3. On next screen click on "War Chronicles"

Your highest score will be listed as the Total High Score.

Here is mine, 102,970

[img width=700 height=522]http://i1029.photobucket.com/albums/y359/necrom99/Volley/16F81474-14C3-4740-BD73-183CE3F1BB35_zps9oshohwi.jpg[/img]

I know, but I want to make sure it's apparent that I'm not milking a later stage for points by skipping an earlier one and advancing into higher point value areas.

Here's a screenshot I took at the Stage 3 boss, about 10 seconds before I made a bone headed mistake and died:
[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/A0D47E96-82E2-4158-AC41-8383AAFEF3CA.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/A0D47E96-82E2-4158-AC41-8383AAFEF3CA.jpg.html)

EDIT: I did this run using the R-9WB AH "Happy Days" ship, on "Human" difficulty level.

Right on. Thanks for clarifying.

Anyone else hit the alternate 2nd level on R-Type Final? I had repeatedly been taken to the flora and fauna esque Level 2, but this last run, I went to a completely underwater area. Pretty cool.

Yeah, I think it may depend on which ship you select. I've seen a couple variations on Stage 2.

I've never seen the completely under water version.  Ive seen the partial one, the jungle one, and the desert.

Just a little better

[img width=700 height=522]http://i1029.photobucket.com/albums/y359/necrom99/Video%20Game%20Scores/C4986EA6-4B23-4242-946D-4AEE1938F2C9_zpsjwefjafg.jpg[/img]

Boy my thumb is sore.

R-Type Final is one tough game, but it is beautiful.

It looks really good, I agree.  The slow downs are killer though, especially in level 3.

Yes, that is one aspect of the game that always puzzled me. The PS2 is capable of some pretty fast, manic action. Why on earth didn't Irem and Fresh Games optimize the code better?

This is my final run, & just under the wire, too. Again, "Human" difficulty, using the R9WB AH ship. Reached the Stage 4 boss & nearly defeated it!
[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/2B0B2A8F-4AD8-4758-84D3-462E92C9CFE3.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/2B0B2A8F-4AD8-4758-84D3-462E92C9CFE3.jpg.html)

Alright, so the first week of the shmup competition is over and we are moving on to Week Two's games: U.N. Squadron and Xyanide. A big shout out to new member MetalFRO for posting high scores in both Week 1 titles, Gradius and R-Type Final! Please remember that if you didn't play one or either of the games in Week 1, it's not too late to join us. As the rules to the competition state, "At the end of the month, each participant's lowest score on the retro and modern side will be dropped (this means you can miss one game on each side and still be in the championship running)."

Scores have been updated and the points system has been initiated. Please check your scores to make sure that I didn't miss one of your posts. Current points standings are as follows:

MetalFRO - 20
RetroRage - 17
singlebanana - 15
GrayGhost81 - 12
JerryGreenwood - 9
techwizard - 6
Duke.Togo - 5
EngineerMike - 5

I hope everyone is enjoying themselves this month. :D

Damn, I am shocked that I was able to place so high simply by virtue of having played both games.

I hope MetalFRO is missing a bunch of the games we have left to play. ;)

i have a lot of catching up to do, but i'm glad to see i wasn't the very lowest...though close to it. unfortunately i don't have either of this week's games, so i'll have to try for a strong comeback in week 3 and 4

AHH!!  My Xbox 360 can't play Xyanide!!!  AND I CAN'T FIND MY POWER CORD FOR MY ORIGINAL XBOX!!!!!

Also, U.N. Squadron is tough.  I should have practiced a little more before the week started.

Yeah, it's tough, but it's such a great game. It brings me back to the magical time when the SNES was brand new. I remember hearing some of the music (the pilot select screen specifically) and thinking how futuristic it sounded. My Genesis and NES could not make those sounds.

I forgot which pilot I like and which weapons and planes to use. I'll have to relearn all my patterns.

Haven't played UN Squadron in a while. Are we just going with whatever the default difficulty is?

I love the music in UN Squadron.  It's so 1990 Capcom

Yes, always default difficulty unless otherwise stated. Thanks

Unfortunately for you guys, the only games in the competition I don't have are U.N. Squadron (which I suck at, anyway), and Otomedius Excellent, because I still lack the Xbox 360 in my collection.  I haven't touched Xyanide yet, so I may suck at it, but I'm pretty sure I'll dominate on Lightening Force, and I'll hold my own with RayCrisis.  Haven't touched S&P:SS either, so who knows, you guys may still have a fighting chance ;)

Okay, so I plugged Xyanide in for a few minutes at the end of my lunch break (the benefits of living 3 blocks from the office!), and WOW is it hard.  Maybe I need to read through the manual, but from what I gather, it's a bit of a twin stick shooter, with the left stick moving the ship, the right stick moving a cross-hair that is activated by holding down the left trigger, and then once a vessel is targeted, you let go of the left trigger to fire at them.  I tried a bunch of other buttons, and found no additional weaponry, so unless I'm missing something, the game is quite simplistic in design.  However, it's REALLY HARD to concentrate on moving around the screen to avoid projectiles and colliding with other ships, while also concentrating on targeting.  It's certainly going to take some getting used to, that's for sure.

I played a little of Xyanide a few weeks ago. It has a really beautiful and sinister introduction that is a must see.

I was gonna say that!  It has a gorgeous opening that's good enough to pass as current gen (xbox 360 at least).  Previous gen games often get unfairly abandoned, disrespected and marginalized as "junk", but a good chunk of the games still hold up.  It's only a matter of time before the hidden gems begin popping up.

I played Xyanide for a few minutes tonight, the controls are a little strange and I can't tell if I'm hitting the enemies sometimes.  It sure is pretty though.

What are we going to do with UN Squadron? The score disappears after you lose all your lives, so you have to take a picture before you die. I was thinking one of two things.

1 - Pause and take the picture at the last second when you're about to die.
2 - When your lives total reaches 0, just take the picture. Kind of like pretending you always have one less life than the game gives you.

Neither are perfect solutions, but we have to work with what we got. Anyone else have an idea?

This picture was taken when I had 0 lives left and 1 more hit left.

[img width=640 height=480]http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a420/JerryGreenwood/2014-12-09210456_zps582dbba8.jpg[/img] (http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/JerryGreenwood/media/2014-12-09210456_zps582dbba8.jpg.html)

What is it that makes Aguira so menacing?  Perhaps it's the beauty, complete look of innocence, and just a little bit of sinister just below the surface. What a great villian.

[img width=700 height=466]http://2e130c55e0c2763c8a20-c7a4d0feffd26319b59c92c4aecae366.r18.cf1.rackcdn.com/1c2fac4e687a7e2acdb670cbd0c3b71a46cf5b12.jpg[/img]


Hmmm..... That certainly is tough and I will have to look into this tonight. I'm not really for cutting away a life and if there is no way to retrieve the score, pausing and taking photos during your last run may be our only option. Can you pause quickly after your last ship goes down, or is pause disabled at that point?

Probably not, but we can check. I like the first option the best, but I was thinking that some people won't like having to worry about pausing a game for a pic in the middle of the action.

I wish I tried to get Xyanide. I usually dismiss the original xbox because I think it's one of the worst systems of all-time but that game looks good.

Holy crap ain't no way I'm beating that UN Squadron score.  Jerry is killin it.

The Xbox gets crapped on an awful lot for one reason or another.  People are fanboys to other systems, or they hated the fact that Microsoft came in the console game so late to take a bite out of the market, and lots of reasons I'm sure.  So a lot of folks wrote it off before it was even released and held a biased negative opinion about it until it died.  But I think if people went back and played it again they'd be surprised with how well it still holds up.

i've never been a big fan of the xbox because it doesn't have many good exclusives that i'm interested in, most of it's best games are either on PC or PS2. other than that i have no problem with it, i've played it a bit and enjoyed it as much as any other console of that generation.

That's what I mean. My xbox was basically a Morrowind machine. Maybe I was unlucky, but I was greatly disappointed in the xbox exclusives I bought. Pound for pound, it cannot compare to the titles PS2 has.

(For the record, I'm not a fan boy for either Sony or Microsoft)

Sure you can. Which pilot are you choosing? I'm not sure if any are "better" than the others, but I prefer Shin. Which routes are you taking? I try to knock off a few trucks, the planes, and the sub before I attack the real stages. Also, aside from the first stage and the truck stages, I usually max out on every weapon I can afford.

I was using Greg, not that it would make a difference for me because I've never played the game before.  After beating the first level I'd just go to that purple plane and get whooped.  I did a couple of the trucks once and fought the sub with little luck.  I need to get in more playing time tonight.

I'm sorry, but I refuse to ruin my adoration of this absolute masterpiece by playing it this way. Not having a high score displayed after the game is absolutely astonishing. Anyway, here's for my participation points:

[img width=700 height=393]http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h32/grayghost81/IMG_20141210_185915_053_zps6b748843.jpg[/img] (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/grayghost81/media/IMG_20141210_185915_053_zps6b748843.jpg.html)

What way are you playing it? Just play it like you would normally. I'm not trying for points, I'm trying to beat the game. It looks like you only beat the first stage so I'm not sure what you mean by "playing it this way".

I made two attempts before this with much higher scores (no, really!) in which I couldn't pause in time to snap a picture when I died. The stress of trying to get the best score I could while being "ready" to pause the game at the right time was sucking all the enjoyment out of it.

I also like to play this game to beat it, and therein lies my point exactly. The progression and customization options in this game are amazing. But this is a score competition, and the unfortunate circumstances involved in posting a score take away from what makes this game great.

Would it be better just to post scores without pictures for UN Squadron? Basically just guesstimate score?

That poses its own issues, but it's up to Rich ultimately.

I'm ok with the honor system as long as everyone else is.

We're going on the honour system but pictures help prove someone's claim to a score. I'm sure we trust each other but pictures are fun to look at. :)

For competition months, I typically like participants to post pics, but I understand the issue we have going on here, so I will make this ruling (FOR THIS GAME ONLY).  If you can snap a pic, that's great, but if you can't, please be honest when posting your score. You should have a pen and paper handy while playing this game to quickly jot down your score. If you are unsure about your score, DON'T post it.

My suggestion is that you write down the top 3 high scores and have them beside you while playing, if you pass a top score, pause and take a quick pic. I don't think that's too much to ask and proves that you at least topped it. You can post your final score along with the pic.

I understand the aggravation, but we just have to do what we can to get through this week, so be patient, bear with it, and most importantly, HAVE FUN!

I hear that. That's why I was wondering if taking a picture the INSTANT your life total went from 1 to 0 would be a good idea. It would take out the stress or trying to hit pause in the heat of battle.
Personally, I don't think it's that difficult to move your thumb a few centimeters to the left when you take your second to last hit. You have invincibility for a second or two after you take a hit so there shouldn't be too much pressure. When you have 0 lives, say to yourself "when I have 2 hits left, I gotta be ready to pause it". You have plenty of time. But I understand that it's not pure and would be much better if it kept your high score.

You shouldn't stress over 'playing the game to get a high score'. If you beat a stage in UN Squadron, you've likely destroyed 95% of the enemies in that stage. Beat stages and your score will be good.

My guess is that Capcom was ahead of it's time and realized that nobody cares about high scores (except us apparently). The only reason they have a points total is to determine when you've earned an extra life.

(To counter my point that Capcom realized nobody cares about scores - Ultra Street Fighter 4 has a score total and that game came out last June. Of all the video games ever created, USF4 is the last game that should keep score, but it does for some unknown reason)

I put in a respectable run tonight (at least to me it is)

[img width=700 height=933]http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/adsanislo/20141211_174928_zpswkcyxjrb.jpg[/img]

Hopefully I can get in a few more this weekend. 

Same here.

[img width=700 height=522]http://i1029.photobucket.com/albums/y359/necrom99/Video%20Game%20Scores/F299E263-A7AA-45F9-9271-A9CD6CD046FE_zpsbsz04bfp.jpg[/img]

I kept taking pics on my last plane and this was the last I took before the end. My final score on this run was 113,900

Okay, here's my first respectable score in Xyanide after a few tries to really figure out the game mechanics. I beat the first level boss and made it to level 2:
[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/164AE9D1-003D-48A4-8241-5C642509DA1F.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/164AE9D1-003D-48A4-8241-5C642509DA1F.jpg.html)

My last run was even better!
[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/4E2B6AA7-8270-4965-B83C-ADAF01C4DE11.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/4E2B6AA7-8270-4965-B83C-ADAF01C4DE11.jpg.html)

Anyone else digging this game?

Got to the second to last level. The boss fight is REALLY hard.


[img width=640 height=480]http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a420/JerryGreenwood/2014-12-11221018_zps35d5c18a.jpg[/img] (http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/JerryGreenwood/media/2014-12-11221018_zps35d5c18a.jpg.html)

Damn you guys are killing it. Ok I'll probably give it another shot tonight...

YAH!!!! A XYANIDE SCORE!!!!! :)

Also, now you're just showing off Jerry. ;)

All scores posted.

Nice score MetalFRO! Just curious, but are you playing on a Sony Trinitron? It was a sad day when I had to get rid of mine.

Funny, I'm playing on a Trinitron.....my camera phone just sucks. :P

Not a Trinitron, it's a Sony WEGA rear-projection LCD. I bought it from my boss' son about a year and a half ago. He had just installed a new lamp, so it's brilliant and bright. Most everything looks fantastic on the screen. It does 720p & 1080i resolutions well, and even 480p stuff on the original Xbox looks pretty spiffy, hence the decent picture with my phone.

@MetalFRO - How come you said you're not playing UN Squadron because you suck at it? You seem to be killing all the other games.

I'll post a xyanide score tonight.  It's been a long week, I've had no time to play. 

LOL, I've never owned a copy or played it on an actual SNES, so I've only emulated it, and what little I have played, I was pretty bad. Horizontal shmups for me are either really good, or really bad. There's very little middle ground. That said, I haven't played it in years, so who knows, I might not suck as bad as I think! Still, I'm only playing the games I physically own, because I want to achieve these scores via original hardware and controllers.

Here's my latest Xyanide score. I reached the stage 2 boss, and just missed nuking it, which would have put me even further ahead. Still, a mil and a half ain't nothing to be ashamed of ;)
[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/4DF84E33-191F-46AA-AF86-DAA98121D01F.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/4DF84E33-191F-46AA-AF86-DAA98121D01F.jpg.html)

Here's the picture right before I died.  My final score was 162500

[img width=700 height=933]http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/adsanislo/20141212_222656_zpsciynlstr.jpg[/img]

Xyanide contributin'!

[img width=700 height=933]http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/adsanislo/20141213_000015_zpsinlxj5mg.jpg[/img]

I haven't decided if I like this game yet. 

I understand how the weapons work now, but the controls are cumbersome and awkward.

And the sound fx are decent but the music is forgettable.

But, it looks really good and that alone will keep me playing for awhile.

Now lets see more scores!

WIP here - 74700

[img width=384 height=288]http://oi60.tinypic.com/qzga47.jpg[/img]

Here's my best proof of score. Got to the final boss, but with 2 hits left it didn't last very long.

[img width=640 height=480]http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a420/JerryGreenwood/2014-12-13182133_zpsf731c377.jpg[/img] (http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/JerryGreenwood/media/2014-12-13182133_zpsf731c377.jpg.html)

Here's me beating the game on a different run. On this run I took a picture after I beat the final boss, but sometimes my phone does this cute little thing where it turns off while I'm taking a picture, so I have no proof of my best score, but it was 680,000ish. I also had 4 lives left fwiw. I'm pretty sure both of my scores will hold up so I'm not too worried about it.

[img width=640 height=480]http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a420/JerryGreenwood/2014-12-14092342_zps771c3bbb.jpg[/img] (http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/JerryGreenwood/media/2014-12-14092342_zps771c3bbb.jpg.html)


Here's a few tips to those who are struggling

- I see some people picking Greg. Does Greg look like a hero? No. He's dogshit.
- I see some people picking Mickey. His ability is worthless. Don't pick him.
- Shin gives you max fire power the fastest. This ability only becomes worthless near the very end of the game. Until then, it's worth it's weight in gold.
- Aside from Stage 1 and the truck levels, buy every weapon you can for every stage.
- Save Mega Crush for all boss battles. Best used to take out a bunch of mini cannons or little guns that are hard to reach.

Here's my route
- Stage 1
- First plane level
- The top stage (desert level)
- Buy the 2nd plane (this will be your plane for the majority of the game)
- Second plane level or Submarine
- Second plane level or Submarine
- The bottom stage (sea level - probably harder than the forest level, but it's just my route)
- The middle stage (forest level)
- Buy the $500,000 plane (the second best plane)
- The bottom level (canyon level)
- The top level (mountain level - crazy hard boss, Mickey's ability could come in handy here, but Shin can handle him)
- Final level

Note - I don't think it's possible to afford the best plane without continuing. You really need to save money for it. If you get it, you're special weapons are so overpowered (i.e. - it can hold 2 Mega Crushes) that any boss shouldn't be a problem.

Scores updated. Please be sure to check yours. Don't forget that today is the last day to post scores for U.N. Squadron and Xyanide until the Battle Royale.

Also, congrats on finishing the game Jerry!

Updated Xyanide score

[img width=700 height=933]http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/adsanislo/20141213_100126_zpshsw92ukg.jpg[/img]

now playing: Xyanide

tentative score 187,012

Gonna give it a few more plays before bed.

[img width=700 height=522]http://i1029.photobucket.com/albums/y359/necrom99/Video%20Game%20Scores/6B0C7314-39AF-4FA8-86CC-64D7E008CE9F_zpska8hcb4s.jpg[/img]

This game got a lot better and a lot more fun once I learned to switch cannons.

I HEAR THAT! When I figured out there was a stronger laser to deal with larger enemies and bosses, I was finally able to get past the first boss :P

Yep, same here. I kept timing out without the stronger cannon.

server time is central?

as far as i know, yep. just under 2 hours until week 3 then.

This game is more complex than it needs to be.

- got to 285,100

[img width=615 height=461]http://oi59.tinypic.com/ll3bm.jpg[/img]

The controls are a mess.  I have a bunch of other issues with the game too.  I dunno if I'll pick it up again after this month.

Sorry, but I completely disagree. I think the controls on this game are fantastic and very responsive for how the game is set up and what you are asked to do. The two sticks provide great control and the upper triggers work well to switch your cannons. These are the really the only three buttons/sticks you use and I find it very simplistic and user friendly. If you want to talk about complex controls, wait until you play Sin & Punishment. :)

I was a little sure about Xyanide the first few times I played it, but now I really, really dig it.

I'd be the first to admit Xyanide is an eclectic beast. And not well explained or immediately intuitive. However, once the game's weaponry and upgrade system is understood, it really gels, at least it did for me. Pacing was obviously designed for the higher difficulty, as it is quite disparate on easier levels.  It's a tough game to defend, and one that kinda 'clicks' with the player or doesn't. I can understand the criticisms against it, but the game really worked for me and I very much enjoy it. One of my favorites on the system.

Alright ladies & gents, Week 2 has passed and some of you put up some really impressive scores. A big congratulations to JerryGreenwood for not only taking first in the U.N. Squadron campaign, but for also completing the game. We didn't expect anyone to finish any of these brutal shooters, so that is quite the feat!  Also, congrats to MetalFRO for taking yet another 10 points with his high score on Xyanide. He was in the lead last week, but his non-participation in Xyanide has allowed RetroRage to leapfrog him and take over in the total standings. However, please remember that at the end of the competition, each participants' lowest score on each side (retro & modern) will be dropped; a non-participation for any game is noted as a "0" and can be one of the games dropped. (see rules in initial post for further clarification).

The current overall standings are as follows:

RetroRage - 33 
singlebanana - 31
MetalFRO - 30
JerryGreenwood - 19
GrayGhost81 - 18
ae.tc - 9
OatBob - 7
techwizard - 6
Duke.Togo - 5
EngineerMike - 5

Again, PLEASE, PLEASE go behind me and make sure that your scores are correct. I do my best, but it's possible that I made an error.

Week 3 starts now, so let's have some fun with Lightening Force and Sin & Punishment. I hope that everyone is enjoying the competition this month.  :D

I'm so psyched to have the privilege of playing through Sin & Punishment for a third time (the first was just to check out the game, the second was because it's such an amazing game, but neither time was I concerned with my score).

Floyd, will you please confirm the scoring structure for S & P that you proposed earlier in the month regarding the difficulty level and also are we drawing any distinction between the two playable characters for scoring purposes?

Floyd's call, but I assume that "Normal" mode is what we should be playing this on, since that is what we are doing for all of the other games and that was what was stated in the overall rules post. I've only played the game with the girl, but is there some sort of scoring distinction between the two that would be of any concern? Since all players can select either party to use (no unlockable characters to my knowledge), I don't think there is any reason to declare any of them ineligible. Just my two cents, but of course Floyd has the final say on the modern game.

As far as Lightening Force is concerned, high scores are easy to obtain after your run (YAH!!!). You can continue if you so choose because the scores reset back to zero after you continue. (Not sure if this the case with S&P, so maybe someone can advise). In LF, you get to choose your path for the first 4 levels. I think players will find this interesting and a neat part of their strategy, since some levels are a bit easier than others.

Kachi (the girl) has a lock on capability that some people argue makes her a little easier to play with. Personally I would say that any difference is negligible, especially for our purposes, but I'll leave it to you guys.


Your score will reset to zero when you continue in S&P.

Yeah, as long as there are no differences in scoring, I don't see the issue in using either player. Everyone can choose Kachi if they want, so everyone has the ability to exploit the lock on if they so choose.  As long as people are starting fresh games and not using unlockable characters, character choice should never be an issue IMO.

I'm excited for Lightening Force. Thunder Force II & III are probably my 2 favorite shmups so I'm sure Lightening Force won't disappoint.

Just played a little S&P: SS over lunch break, and wow, this game is tough but cool! I can't imagine how hard the N64 original is without easy aiming. My first score attempt:
[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/41C3B7A4-0A01-486D-822E-23A8D00C62AD.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/41C3B7A4-0A01-486D-822E-23A8D00C62AD.jpg.html)

I played a little of it yesterday before recording the podcast and so far it's my favorite of the games we are playing this month. It's beautiful for a Genesis title and it feels really good.

Wife took the kids to school this morning, so I had a little time for a pre-work run.

[img width=700 height=522]http://i1029.photobucket.com/albums/y359/necrom99/Video%20Game%20Scores/29E1F7BB-BF60-4D3A-A0EE-2733A4ACE9D3_zpsebvk8ur3.jpg[/img]

[img width=700 height=933]http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/adsanislo/20141215_161906_zpspxrccys8.jpg[/img]

Lightening Force is amazing!  You can't get closer to the arcade experience than this.  Everything is moving so fast, it really gets your blood pumping!

High score: 238820

Okay, I'm starting to get the hang of S&P a except my timing is off on the melee attack to deflect missiles, etc.  Still, Stage 2 to the building with all the robotic arms on it isn't bad for a 3rd or 4th attempt. At least I hope not :)
[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/ACEE9391-4781-46BB-A30F-794B845049CA.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/ACEE9391-4781-46BB-A30F-794B845049CA.jpg.html)

Okay, so for those of you who haven't played this game yet, there are 2 things you need to know. First and foremost, this game is AWESOME! Second, you really want to maximize your multiplier, and to do that effectively, you have to avoid getting hit. If you can do that, the score goes way up. This is me reaching what I think is the 2nd stage boss, and keeping a 10x or higher multiplier through as much of the stage as possible. It makes a huge difference in scoring, especially when you can take out hordes of popcorn enemies.
[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/E2890CEF-5283-4846-BD6C-C13623BF603A.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/E2890CEF-5283-4846-BD6C-C13623BF603A.jpg.html)

for S&P both characters have the lock-on ability, but the girl will automatically lock on to whatever you fire at, and the boy requires you to manually lock on with A. at least i think that's how it works. i haven't tried the boy yet but i found the girl's auto-lock on really annoying, i think i would prefer manual. lock-on does less damage according to the tutorial level anyway so there's not much advantage in using it really.

edit: i'm officially in this week. i managed to hit a 15X multiplier at one point, though it didn't last long. usually was at least 6X and above, but 10X for quite a while.

on normal with Isa:

[img width=640 height=480]http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a420/JerryGreenwood/2014-12-15215745_zps0a8e2096.jpg[/img] (http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/JerryGreenwood/media/2014-12-15215745_zps0a8e2096.jpg.html)

Great game. The stages look great, very imaginative.

Something strange though. When the SEGA title is on screen, if you hit start it skips the title screen and goes right into the game. I'm not sure I've ever played a Genesis game (or any game) that skips the title screen like that. Bizarre.

I'm guessing the order of level doesn't matter too much, but maybe it could matter if a certain stages have better power ups than others.

I think that some stages are a bit easier and allow for better power ups before getting to tougher ones. Picking order is very important for scoring high in this game.

Updating scores soon.

If you take on the Ruins stage first, you pick up the "Hunter" weapon.  If you can keep it long enough, it's very useful for taking out as many enemies as possible to help maximize score.

I had 3 playthroughs last night and each time I picked the desert level first. It says it's the 4th stage, but since I have the most experience with that stage, I will probably continue to pick it first. It was starting to get easy on my final run.

interested to see what GrayGhost81's score is on S&P after he was raving about it so much ;)

It's kinda weird that Lightening Force skips the title screen.  Also, the game screen is misaligned to the right a little bit.  I don't know if it's the game, my Genesis, or my TV.  anyone else have this problem?

i didn't notice any misalignment, and i think it only skips the title screen if you hit start too early

First legitimate attempt at Lightening Force after a false start. Haven't plugged this one in for a long time, even though it's a long time favorite. I guess my backlog is just too big! But I'm glad this competition gives me a great reason to go back to this classic. The graphics are some of the best on the Genesis, the music is some of my favorite game music of all time, and the game is just fast, frenetic action. So good.
[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/715993C1-CC03-4B68-B91A-1CE59727BD6F.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/715993C1-CC03-4B68-B91A-1CE59727BD6F.jpg.html)

DAMN YOU METALFRO!!! I was just about to post the new high score and of course, you show up.  STOP WINNING!!!!

[img width=700 height=933]http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/adsanislo/20141216_195657_zpsmffimjbb.jpg[/img]

Sorry, but I can't do that :P

In all seriousness, I have been pretty hard on myself this evening because I expect way more out of myself when playing this game. Within 3 or 4 attempts, I should have been getting to stage 5 without much trouble, but have been sucking wind this evening. Keep in mind, I played through this game and beat it some 20+ times as a kid, and have high scores written in the game manual to prove it, so for me, that's a low score. But I'll post my slightly higher score just so you have a target to hit, before I crush your soul with my next one. Just kidding ;)
[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/E9C6B3B3-3DEC-4303-9708-1FAF57F8D1D4.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/E9C6B3B3-3DEC-4303-9708-1FAF57F8D1D4.jpg.html)

MetalFRO, I'm starting to see the value in getting Hunter ASAP. Is that the only one in the game?

I'm doing good on the first 4 levels now, but I got crushed on the final levels. Here's what I got.

[img width=640 height=480]http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a420/JerryGreenwood/2014-12-16212120_zpsfc7b0720.jpg[/img] (http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/JerryGreenwood/media/2014-12-16212120_zpsfc7b0720.jpg.html)

If memory serves, Hunter isn't available again until Stage 8, and then again in Stage 10, where you have a chance to get all powerups before the final boss confrontation.  But yes, nabbing Hunter early (AND NOT DYING/LOSING IT!) is a big help.  Keep in mind, there are places where Hunter will do little good, because there are too many enemies, and/or they're too strong to take out safely.  The best example I can think of with this is in the Air Raid stage during the fast part - those ugly pod-like enemies that come in groups of 3 or 5, they're hard enough to take out with the Blade weapon, but Hunter is practically useless, especially since it will also be targeting the platforms zooming at you.  It's a great weapon, but you'll still need to rely on the Blade, Rail Gun, Snake, and occasionally Free Way weapons at various times.

Yes, as the Unofficial World Heavyweight Thunder Force 2 Champion I am aware that Hunter is the worst weapon in certain situations. Will I end up being the RF Gen Lightening Force Champion? We'll see ;)

You'll have to fight me pretty hard for that title, because LF is my jam.  Bring it on!  ;D

lol

 I approve of this taunting.............. :boxing:

Hey hey hang on you two.......I'm throwing my dog in this fight.

Prepare for a beat down! All joking aside, I think this kind of competition is great, because it encourages all of us to be better.

Here's my latest, though still not where I want to be.
[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/2054DABE-3459-43AB-A6A2-0DBC9EB31AA8.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/2054DABE-3459-43AB-A6A2-0DBC9EB31AA8.jpg.html)

yeah nevermind.  I dunno if I can get there in my allotted time.....

Maybe I could settle for the bronze.  I really want that title belt though.......................

Wanted to make sure I got on the board at least for participation. Might try to put some more time in later, but looking at the competition I may just take my free 5 points. ;)

My best was 58,300.

[img width=700 height=525]http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af356/jackcrow2000/91516269-F22F-4991-B6BA-C6646DFC5790_zpshznccu7c.jpg[/img] (http://s1023.photobucket.com/user/jackcrow2000/media/91516269-F22F-4991-B6BA-C6646DFC5790_zpshznccu7c.jpg.html)

Yep.  Im diggin the crap out of this game.

[img width=700 height=933]http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/adsanislo/20141217_212846_zpsojt0mzjc.jpg[/img]

It's a pretty awesome game, one that I'll definitely go back to at some point after the competition is over. In the meantime, I've got my groove back in  Lightening Force. Made it to stage 8, and nearly reached the boss.
[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/C3B4E8D5-7EC9-434A-B514-BCEDB94E970F.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/C3B4E8D5-7EC9-434A-B514-BCEDB94E970F.jpg.html)

Yep.  Definitely not catching that.

[img width=640 height=480]http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a420/JerryGreenwood/2014-12-17205106_zps4479a70b.jpg[/img] (http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/JerryGreenwood/media/2014-12-17205106_zps4479a70b.jpg.html)

Yawn. I got this score with one hand tied behind my back.....while riding a unicycle...and balancing 5 tea cups on my head.....and I didn't have my contact lens in, but it doesn't matter anyway because I had my eyes closed.

I'll probably give it real try later tonight.

Scores updated. Please check your score for accuracy.

Show-off! ;)

What's with the TF2 box alongside the LF high score screen?

Idk...that game has a mind of it's own. Probably jealous that LF is getting all the attention atm.

I now have the top score in S&P:SS as well! Come at me, bro!
[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/5085E507-EEFF-46D5-9444-4F2D873C1477.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/5085E507-EEFF-46D5-9444-4F2D873C1477.jpg.html)

No you dont.

[img width=700 height=933]http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/adsanislo/20141218_204346_zpstachlyrt.jpg[/img]

I came.  At you, that is.

Well, good on you! I was about to post a 15+ mil score as the highest, but for now it will secure me a reasonable second place.
[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/3CC6AE44-B23C-46C2-A1F6-F5F1B38C43D9.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/3CC6AE44-B23C-46C2-A1F6-F5F1B38C43D9.jpg.html)

I can't allow you to get first place in EVERY game now can I?

I have a family Christmas engagement this weekend, so I hope I can maintain my scores whilst I'm away :)

[img width=640 height=480]http://i1033.photobucket.com/albums/a420/JerryGreenwood/painttt_zpsd148ab91.jpg[/img] (http://s1033.photobucket.com/user/JerryGreenwood/media/painttt_zpsd148ab91.jpg.html)

^ What the What?

Just the opposite for me. My wife's cousin is in town this weekend with her two teenage boys. That means that cool Uncle Rich will get to entertain with shmups and lots of pinball. :D

What's this tomfoolery? Looks like  an artificial score...

Yeah, I had a work xmas party last night so that was the best I could come up with.

No one's playing Sin and Punishment? I didn't see any scores yet. If I missed them just repost your score so I can track it for the competition.

Also, today is the last day to post a high score for Lightening Force and S&P. Get them in before midnight to add to your overall standing.

Those of us with Sin & Punishment scores have posted them on the last couple pages. RetroRage has the top spot in that game currently, & I'm 2nd place with this:
[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/3CC6AE44-B23C-46C2-A1F6-F5F1B38C43D9.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/3CC6AE44-B23C-46C2-A1F6-F5F1B38C43D9.jpg.html)

Didn't check RF Gen for a couple days and now I'm a few pages behind. Thanks for keeping me in the loop Fro.

it's not that many pages back, you could just read them yourself...but like metalfro said, retrorage is currently in the lead. you still need to add the scores for anyone else who has put up them but isn't already on the list so that the other places (2nd, 3rd, etc) get counted and given the right points.

Thunder Force IV for participation. I actually played through the entire game with cheats on before resetting and taking this picture, I was too lazy and didn't have the time to put in an official attempt after that.
[img width=700 height=393]http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h32/grayghost81/IMG_20141221_094833_721_zpsbec3effc.jpg[/img] (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/grayghost81/media/IMG_20141221_094833_721_zpsbec3effc.jpg.html)

And here's a God's honest effort at the only game worth a damn in this entire blasted competition:
[img width=700 height=393]http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h32/grayghost81/IMG_20141221_192028_204_zps8403e851.jpg[/img] (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/grayghost81/media/IMG_20141221_192028_204_zps8403e851.jpg.html)

Meh...not a great score, but this is by far my favorite shooter of this playthrough so far. Busy holiday week. Would love to dedicate more time to it.

[img width=700 height=522]http://i1029.photobucket.com/albums/y359/necrom99/Video%20Game%20Scores/5BF57BB5-85D9-403A-B439-CEA7681F53D2_zpsiluzbjeb.jpg[/img]

I'm sorry but I think Sin & Punishment takes the crown for best game in the competition.  It's fun as hell.

oh snap, only 35 minutes to try and reclaim top place for S&P. brb.

edit: shit, i thought that when i continued a saved game it would keep my score >< i took this pic from the rankings menu, any way we can just count the three separate stage bests as my combined score to submit? they're technically from one continued run.

so that would be 30, 174, 668 for one continued run.

participation

Not if you got a game over and continued.  That totes wouldnt be fair, especially 30 minutes before this weeks' sessions are over.

Nothing to be sorry about. Truer words were never spoken.

Is Sin and Punishment a rail-shooter?

Yes it is.

+1, it has to be the total score, not adding totals for the reason stated above. Good thing is that you'll have the Royal Rumble at the end of the month to move up the standings and post a higher score/earn more points.

This weeks scores have been updated. And member RetroRage is still in the lead after Week 3; he posted the high score on Sin & Punishment, while true to his word, MetalFRO took the top spot in Lightening Force for the week.

PLEASE remember that your lowest score WILL be dropped from one retro game and one modern game to determine this month's winner, so plan accordingly when determining which scores you need to improve most during the Royal Rumble (last 3 days of the month - Dec. 29th - 31st).

Week 4's games are Raycrisis & Otomedius Excellent, so please go head and get started. Please note that we will be playing all the way through Raycrisis using continues (limitless). If you did not see my post earlier this month, here are the rules for that game:

"Okay, I'm going to put the final ruling down on the WR-03, since I played through the game last night.....yes, played through it. Seems that you have limitless continues that allow your score to increase as you continue, so I discuss a means of possibly working this out below.

(1) The WR-03 is a selectable craft from the start menu in the game. Nothing is needed to unlock it. Since everyone can use it, it will remain in the competition.

(2) In terms of scoring, I noticed that after I finished the game, there was an end screen that not only posted my total score for the playthrough, but also tracked something called "Total Plays" (I believe this is what is was called, can't find picture). I assume this number represents how many total times you continued in order to finish the game. I will playthrough it again before the last week of the month to determine if this is accurate. If so, my suggestion is that instead of high score, participants will be ranked that week based on how many times they have to continue to finish the game. Basically, the least number of continues will take the top spot. If there is a tie at any position, high score will determine finish order.

For instance, lets say that myself and MetalFRO are at the top of the leaderboard with only 6 continues to finish. If his total points are higher than mine, then he will earn 10 points for the week and I will earn 9."

This means that for Raycrisis, you will not only post your final score, but also your number of Total Plays. Both numbers can be captured on the same screen.

Leaderboard:
RetroRage - 51
MetalFRO - 48
singlebanana - 44
GrayGhost81 - 30
JerryGreenwood - 28
techwizard - 20
Duke.Togo - 11
ae.tc - 9
OatBob - 7
EngineerMike - 5

And as always, please verify your scores and standing. I do my best, but am liable to make a mistake or two. Thanks!

Sorry if I'm making you repeat yourself, but is the battle royal for any and all games thus far, or do you have to pick just one? Like, I can go back and get better scores on all the games I didn't really try on?

Also, Otomedius has many modes, I just want to be clear are we doing Story Mode on the default difficulty or something else?

As long as you put up a score for a game during the first 4 weeks, you can improve your score on ANY of those games during the Royal Rumble. Thanks for speaking up and allowing me to clarify.


This is the only game that I am not participating in this month (no 360), so Floyd will need to chime in here.

i like story/default ...  :ninja:

it wasn't a game over though, that's the problem. it has an option to save and quit without game over, which is what i did because i had to leave for some reason (work i think) and didn't want to lose my progress. if it was game over i would agree, but it was one straight run that was just essentially paused in between.

edit: just saw the rule on the first post about no save points (see below) but from your wording i take that to mean no save points on modern ports of old games that never used to have them. the way i used it wasn't "to my advantage", it was a basic feature of the game that everyone has access to, and is used not when you game over but when you just want a break.

Still, there is no way to differentiate between what could have been a run at one time and what could have been run at another. We can only go with the highest total score. Not that we all don't believe you, of course we trust you, it's just the principle of the matter and the precedent it creates. If I made this concession for you, I would have to allow everyone to total up their scores. Sorry, but in fairness, that's the way it has to be.

As I said before, you have a chance to better your standing in the last three days of the competition, so I encourage you to better your score during that time.

w.i.p. - 1,764,100

[img width=615 height=461]http://oi59.tinypic.com/34sqzpy.jpg[/img]

Alright I'm going to step in here because I don't want people to get held up:

For Otomedius Excellent, please post your best score in Story Mode on the default difficulty.

Yep, score already posted in this mode, so seems like the logical way to score it. Carry on gents.

So, Otomedius Excellent is interesting...

Anyone know a way to show high scores in Otomedius? I got to about 370k, continued and didn't realize it wouldn't show it anywhere.

Curious to hear setups. I like vulcan on the first two stages, double shot on 3, and back to vulcan.

@Duke I don't bother continuing, I just let it go to the game over screen and from there you can take a picture of your score.

[img width=700 height=933]http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/adsanislo/20141222_162402_zps8zvc4u4x.jpg[/img]

here's my weak Otomedius score.  I have some work to do.

[img width=700 height=933]http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/adsanislo/20141222_165058_zpswgummkey.jpg[/img]

16 continues, I'll get that number down.  I'm not sure if I like this game yet.

I am really loving Otomedius. Outside of the competition I'm up for multiplayer sometime if anyone wants to. Here's my not as good score that I grabbed a pic of:
[img width=700 height=525]http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af356/jackcrow2000/2BE672F4-EFCC-4594-8812-F1915E6997B6_zpsvfcq0ggz.jpg[/img] (http://s1023.photobucket.com/user/jackcrow2000/media/2BE672F4-EFCC-4594-8812-F1915E6997B6_zpsvfcq0ggz.jpg.html)

Also, anyone have any good strategies for the 3rd boss?

You mean Boobie Gradius?

The gameplay in this is great. I won't let my kids watch it, but super game.

If you let them watch the game you might have to follow it up with "the talk" afterward.

Glad you like it Duke, it was pretty much at your request that we chose this one.

I have the first level pretty much mastered, but I get wiped out on the second level when the thing is rolling down the street when it slopes down. I'm going to try it a few more times, as the week is young.

the perspectives mess with me in this game a bit, sometimes things go past in the background that you can't hit, but then they swoop out towards the foreground and then you can hit them/be hit by them. messes with me, but i haven't practiced much with this game.

Thanks for thinking of me. I'd be interested to know what everyone else is using as setups and which ship/character. I've been using Lord British since you can load up on "multiples" (options) and it has the shield. I go with Double straight behind and in front, but as I get better at the levels I haven't been using it as much. Vulcan is the very first thing I go for, as it spits out an insane amounts of bullets. For missiles I go with homing.

I've been going Vulcan > Speed Up > Shield > Missiles > Multiples. By the beginning waves of the first level I'm about fully powered up, so I try to keep it on shield afterwards to quickly recharge. Other speed ups get tossed in when appropriate.

RayCrisis. First time really playing this one. It reminds me of a Siplheed game. The scoring system is interesting with the encroachment system, but I'd have to play a bit to get good enough to keep that low and get a high score.

[img width=700 height=525]http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af356/jackcrow2000/87F34E30-5A5D-4A7B-8E4C-887DDFBFB7DB_zpswz9oroir.jpg[/img] (http://s1023.photobucket.com/user/jackcrow2000/media/87F34E30-5A5D-4A7B-8E4C-887DDFBFB7DB_zpswz9oroir.jpg.html)

that midboss is worse than some of the later enemies, start it off in the bottom right corner (ahead of it) and slowy move around the perimeter (up, left, down) until you reach the bottom left corner

This is my initial participatory score for RayCrisis. I know I can do better, because I was the week before the competition started, so this should improve by the end of the week. Still, it's an okay start.
[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/92774D80-8E48-4D3D-ACB5-7C42102EAD8C.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/92774D80-8E48-4D3D-ACB5-7C42102EAD8C.jpg.html)

Oh, and I forgot to load my save data (2-page memory card, LOL), so it shows AAA, but that's because this was a quick run. I'll try and remember to get that fixed for subsequent attempts.

I'll give that a try, thanks!

update to- 2,642,600

[img width=538 height=404]http://oi59.tinypic.com/wjgch0.jpg[/img]

Here ya go:

[img width=700 height=393]http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h32/grayghost81/IMG_20141225_094201_049_zps0cc44852.jpg[/img] (http://s60.photobucket.com/user/grayghost81/media/IMG_20141225_094201_049_zps0cc44852.jpg.html)

I got to the boss of level 2. I was super powered up but when when she crowds you off the screen I didn't know where to go and died. Still, I'm glad I'm doing a little bit better.

I can't explain what keeps me coming back to this game despite the fact that I suck at it...

...oh wait, it's the titties. JKJKJK

Okay, I beat RayCrisis, and reached the dis-human boss using few enough continues that I unlocked the Infinity boss (the supposed actual final boss), and beat it, though it's darn near impossible to do so without expending a few continues. I managed this run with just 9 total "plays" using WR-02.  Here are a couple screenshots to show that I got the "good" ending, followed by my score:

[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/D8C2FA17-3CF6-4BDF-9887-4C6C08D151E6.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/D8C2FA17-3CF6-4BDF-9887-4C6C08D151E6.jpg.html)

[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/B6892306-9B5F-4DF7-B22A-6F6EF51845B4.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/B6892306-9B5F-4DF7-B22A-6F6EF51845B4.jpg.html)

[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/C3980DBD-2A51-42F0-98EA-043518F3FE47.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/C3980DBD-2A51-42F0-98EA-043518F3FE47.jpg.html)

[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/E401E502-BA28-462D-BE8E-41F6D74F421C.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-12/E401E502-BA28-462D-BE8E-41F6D74F421C.jpg.html)

641500.  What a lovely game.

[img width=700 height=933]http://i1072.photobucket.com/albums/w365/adsanislo/20141227_204044_zps8ielk3eb.jpg[/img]

[img width=700 height=522]http://i1029.photobucket.com/albums/y359/necrom99/Video%20Game%20Scores/4A6C431A-4A3C-43FE-9AF5-9239CB286BF1_zpsclvxxx1c.jpg[/img]

Best run I could get in under the cutoff.

Rich asked me to update the scores and the overall standings and everything is now up to date. I'd like for him to review it just in case I miscalculated someone's score.

With all that said, we've got a tie for first between MetalFRO and RetroRage. This is going to be interesting.

UPDATE: Scores are now posted for Otomedius Excellent and Raycrisis. 

There is no tie, MetalFRO currently holds the top spot on the leaderboard after the final numbers were tallied. As was stated at the beginning of the competition, your lowest score in each category (retro & modern) are dropped and the remaining scores are added together to get your final score. This means that the highest score that a participant can get in this competition is a 60. Please double-check your scores to make sure my math is correct.

Congrats to ae.tc for the high score on Otomedius Excellent and MetalFRO for his high score on Raycrisis! MetalFRO currently holds the top spot, but only time will tell as to whether he can hold on.

Today marks the beginning of the 3 day Royale Rumble in which you can improve your scores in any games you have already played this month.  I will try to keep a handle on updating scores and standings for the next few days to ensure the competition is tight. Good luck to all!

Yay, another chance to play Sin & Punishment again!

Well then if that's the case then FRO's score should be 40. 

How so?  He got 30 points on the retro side for scoring 10's in Gradius, Lightening Force & Raycrisis (he did not play U.N. Squadron, so the 0 was his dropped score). On the modern side, he got 28 points: 10 for R-Type Final, 10 for Xyanide, and 8 for Sin & Punishment (did not play OE, so his 0 was dropped there).

30 + 28 = 58

How is that fair?  Scores should be dropped from games that were participated in.  If I knew that's how the game would be played I wouldn't have bought some of the pricier games just to compete.

This scoring system was written down in the rules in the initial post before the competition:

At the end of the month, each participant's lowest score on the retro and modern side will be dropped (this means you can miss one game on each side and still be in the championship running). The participant with the most overall points for his/her six games will be crowned Top Shmuper. 

Whether YOU think it's fair or not is a moot point. The competition was set up this way so that participants would not have to spend money on all 8 games if they choose (because we knew that the cost would add up) and because we were playing across 8 different systems, which not everyone owns. Everyone who has already played a title, also has the opportunity to improve their score and standing over the next 3 days, so you can post scores for these games and bump your points up and his down.

With this said, the purpose of the playthroughs is for all of us to get together as a community and enjoy games and fellowship. If people are going to start complaining about things like rules that we set up prior to the competition, then we'll just stop doing things like this.

Also, if anyone has a problem with how something is being scored or how a competition is being run, then I suggest you send a PM. Thanks.

Bah.  Whatever.  FRO deserves to win anyway.  He got the high score in damn near every game he played.

Yes he did, but I'd still like to see a few people try to go at it. :D

I'll be hooking up the Retron5 soon and starting Kid Icarus.

LOL, except for Sin & Punishment - I'll be gunning for that high score the next couple days! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Remember, midnight server time is the last time to submit scores.

Well, well. I guess no one was willing to take advantage of the Royale Rumble over the last few days of the month. Oh well, who can blame them after the stellar performance that MetalFRO put together over the last month. Congrats good sir on taking home the title of 2014 RFGen Top Shmuper (which will soon be added above your avatar) and a certain blinged out belt will be coming your way for display in your game room, living room mantle, bathroom, or headboard.  Thanks to all who participated this month. Hope you had a BLAST!

This playthrough has definitely, dictated the types of playthroughs, I join in the future.

How so?  I'm interested in the feedback. :D

I had a lot of fun this last month, and got to pull out a couple old favorites, as well as a couple newer games I was needing to put some time into. I thought maybe I would have had a hard time keeping up with some of the players here, but I guess I'm a little better at shmups than I thought. I'd love to do another one of these at some point.

Congrats MetalFRO, you're one bada$$ shmupper.

-good idea, even a single title of retro & modern side

That's a great idea. I would like to be able to really dig into a shmup (or 2), and work on not only beat a game, but to concentrate on it long enough to really get a handle on the scoring mechanics, especially in a game that employs a more sophisticated scoring system.

Congrats MetalFRO....until next time  :boxing:

Yep, and hey, looks like you received your profile award! Belt will be to you in a few weeks. I'm dealing with the fund drive raffle right now and I still need to attach the plane to your belt.

I truly wish I'd known a belt was on the line for that playthrough. I would've been in like Flynn.

Dude............. The belt and a pic of it have been up since the initial post on this thread. You guys.......  :flamethrower:

I blame it on ADHD. Attention span is hard

I can't wait to get that belt! I'll be posting pictures of myself triumphantly holding the belt high above my head in 80's wrestler fashion to my Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr accounts. Maybe my blog, too :D

Okay, so I know it's taken me forever to post this, but here's the belt, with me holding it up in the air in a victorious Link sort of pose:

[img width=700 height=525]http://i349.photobucket.com/albums/q388/MetalFRO/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-02/D58C39BE-0C3C-49E0-B223-E0F4CADC2FBC.jpg[/img] (http://s349.photobucket.com/user/MetalFRO/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-02/D58C39BE-0C3C-49E0-B223-E0F4CADC2FBC.jpg.html)

Pretty awesome, and a great conversation piece.

That's awesome!

love it ;D congrats MetalFRO

That, sir, is awesome!

I kinda thought you'd have a "fro"